Reprobate, may you dare a little optimism? Too f**king right you can mate. With all the doom and gloom around the place it's refreshing to see people trying to look forward. What's done is done and we have to get on with it. There is absolutely no point in dwelling on the past now, we now have to adapt to a new environment, a new manager, new ideas and more than probably a new footballing philosophy. I'm not happy at all about what's happened, I'm f**king fuming to be honest but life goes on and a change is occuring. Whether that change is for the better then only time will tell, whoever the new manager is, he will have my support, I won't agree with it, but he will have my support.
I placed a similar post to this at the start of last season, when Alonso and Arbeloa had left. The post was to do with being forced to play the youngsters more often if there was insufficient investment, there was insufficient investment ( no shock there ), the youngsters didn't play more often though. I'm hoping that the new manager will be able to inject much needed enthusiasm into the squad, nobody can argue that we have looked stale during the course of last season. As previous posters have stated, there was no Plan B or Plan C. I believe we only need a Plan B, no need for Plan C, that will just confuse the issue. One positive to take from this debacle is that everyone will start with a clean slate. Some players who were possibly on their way now may stay, players may be given freedom to express themselves.
If, and again this is a big if, the owners can guarantee that any transfer money generated from player sales will be re-invested, I'd like to see quite a few deadweights shifted on. Certain players do not fit in with the Liverpool Way. Kuyt, Lucas, Riera, Degen, El Zhar, NGog and Babel could altogether generate around between 35-40 million. Add this to the reported 5 million and we could bring in 2 top quality players or 1 world class player.
I'm going to try and show how we'd absorb the loss of these players by blending in youth.
The Goalkeeper -
We have Pepe Reina between the sticks, a better stopper in the world?, I don't b***ard think so. Diego Cavalieri, an able understudy, not the best by a long stretch, but a capable understudy nevertheless. So nothing to worry about in this department.
The Defence -
At right back we are spoilt for choice really, Glen Johnson, the natural choice for many supporters, on his day unstoppable, on other days he's unfathomable. Stephen Darby is another player who is more than capable of holding his own, had a good spell at Swindon too. We also have the versatile Kelly as well. So you see, there is really no need for Degen at all, he has to go.
At left back we have Insua, started the season well but fell by the wayside towards the end, needs to shed a stone or so. I'd keep him first choice next season if he can reproduce his early form. Agger did a great job there when called upon so he is an option too. We also have Chris Mavinga who has impressed at both left back and centre back too this season.
Then we have the centre of defence, Carragher has still got it, I don't care what anyone says. When playing with a settled defensive unit there's nobody better at the Club, got a good 2 seasons left in him at least. Agger is going to become a legend if he can stay injury free, while Carragher is the storm and the fury, Agger is the ambience and the calm. I see so much of Alan Hansen in him, that calming presence, the way he glides with the ball. Then you have Psycho Skrtel, prone to lapses in concentration but never free from injury long enough to try and establish himself as a fixture in the first team. Ayala has done what has been asked of him and again, is another youngster who is more than capable of holding his own. Commanding in the air, something we were lacking last season. I'm not bothered about Kyrgiakos to be honest, he shored our defence up when he arrived but I'm sure Ayala could have equalled or bettered the Greek's contribution if he had been given the chance.
The Midfield -
The biggest problem area that needs resolving. Lucas must go if we are to shed our negative output from what I believe to be the most important area of the side. He is never going to be what we need, as hard as he tries it produces nothing. Mascherano, the midfield general, the hunter, the destroyer, you will struggle to find a player with more heart and fire in the outfield last season. I also feel he upped his passing game and was more willing to strike the ball towards the back end of the season. Aquilani, showed brief glimpses of his class last season, that cannot be questioned. Often on the bench and never utilised for fear of him injuring himself, hopefully we get a manager who thinks to play him more often than not. When he plays we have a cutting edge, we move the ball quickly, unlike the much failed Plan A of last season. We also have Jay Spearing, not many people rate the lad on here, but I think that given a run in the side he can prove a lot of doubters wrong. Yes I know he's small, but so is Masch and that means f**k all to me.
When Aquilani is injured who do we play?, why Yossi Benayoun of course, it's no secret that he plays best through the middle. One of the few creative players at the Club, so let's maximise that undoubted creative potential. He has stated he'd like to stay at the Club and with a new manager he may just get his wish and play more often than not. I don't blame him for thinking about leaving us after the way he was treated recently, when we were screaming out for a creative spark in the middle he had to watch Lucas Sidewalker stifle our attack. I'd also like to see us sign Javi Martinez or Rafael van der Vaart, both top quality players that can give us that extra something from the midfield.
The Wingers -
Oh my, how we need some decent wingers. In an ideal world we'd get David Silva but that is never going to happen, is it?. Babel, Kuyt and Riera will hopefully be sold. On the other hand, would Babel and Riera respond positively to a new manager?. There's no doubt that on their day Riera and Babel can be highly effective. Both players suffer from emotional issues and insecurities, maybe a frsh face and some open encouragement may change their mindset, that would be like 2 new signings in itself. We have Pacheco, such promise, yet he was constantly ignored last season and I really felt for the lad. He's a really tricky kid is Dani and can play in a variety of positions. David Amoo is another player I'd like to see more of, fast as f**k he is. from what I've seen so far I've been impressed.
Then we have the possibility of signing Arda Turan, the rumour was that Rafa had lined up a player plus cash deal for him this summer, which would have meant Babel going in the other direction. I haven't seen much of him but he can get past his man quite consistently and can play anywhere acroos the midfield, versatility is the key component here. And last but not least, Maxi Rodriguez. I liked what I saw of him last season, he gave us stability in an area of the field that was faltering badly. Towards the end of the season his confidence grew and I have high hopes for him this season, he's had time to bed in now. I'm confident we'll see the real Rodriguez next season.
Strikers -
This is where I feel we should have no issues at all. In Torres we have the best striker on the planet, not much I can say about him that hasn't been said a million times before. The complete striker. I hope I'm right in assuming that Nemeth is coming back for the new season?. His season there was hampered by an injury in the New Year, and though he only managed 18 games, he scored 3 goals and had numerous assists. A previous winner of Reserve Team Player of The Year and Liverpool Young Player of The Year coupled with his loan spell in a very tough and hard League, I think he's ready for us. What the deal is with Jovanovic?, I don't know. From what I've read about him, many people on this forum seem to think he can do a great job for us, so I'll go with that. We also have the versatile Pacheco, who can play up front, in the hole or out wide.
And last but not least, Steven Gerrard. He can play anywhere, on his day there is no better all round footballer on the planet in my eyes. In the middle, in the hole, on the left, on the right and even up front in a 4-4-2 if need be.
Apologies if I've missed a player that others think is ready for the Squad, it's quite a condensed post and my mind is wandering with all the worry.
So there you have it. One reason why I'm not so depressed at the moment. I'm pissed Rafa has gone, but he has. It's done. Whatever manager comes in, I just hope they are attack minded. We have the players here to do a job, the youngsters are good enough. I hope we get a manager who can relate to the players better on a psychological level, a manager who can nurture players, a manager who talks to his players, a manager who knows the players, a manager who can adapt his tactics to suit different opponents and a manager who doesn't underestimate his opponents. I feel that there are very few candidates who possess these required qualities.
I'd love to see Kenny Dalglish back in the seat, but that's just me being over emotional. And as for those who say he's too outdated for the modern game?, what the f**k is all that bullshit!. Kenny Dalglish has all the attributes to be an outstanding manager, he has won trophies, he is probably the greatest player to ever wear the shirt ( and that is some statement when you take into account the legends that have put it on ). He knows the Liverpool Way inside out. His footballing brain is second to none, do people really think he's become rusty?, do people think he doesn't watch football anymore?, please, stop embarassing yourselves with such outlandish comments.
He knows how to play incisive and effective football, he knows how to outguess his opponents, he knows how to train players and their minds, he oozes legend. Players will want to play for him, players will want to run through brick walls for him, his footballing knowledge will be applicable to any era, whether that be the 70's, 80's, 90's or 00's. To argue otherwise is futile. If he comes up against a team that are nullifying his tactics, do you really think he'd be incapable of adjusting the tactics and reading the game to counter his opponents?. That is just ridiculous. A genius is befitting of any era, as is the mind of a genius also.
Kenny siad he'd never return to management, though you never know. I'm just arguing the point that he can be effective as a manager in the modern era, his brain is still ticking, it's still fresh, still full of ideas. He still watches games and analyses them inside his mind, he is football. I'm just saying that if he did take the job I'd be landed. I wouldn't mind seeing Sammy Lee in charge either, he is as passionate as anyone about the Club and I bet he is thinking he could get called into the office soon. Thommo, Roy Evans?, yeah, I'd be happy. Would I choose these four ahead of MON, Hodgson, Hughes, Jesus, Eriksson and Hiddink?. Too f**king right I would, those four know the Club, they breathe the Club, they are the Club.
YNWA.
« Last Edit: Jun 05, 2010 05:05:19 pm by hardcoresoldier, Reason: Put Spearing down as a sell buy mistake »
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